Shloka 15

An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body

Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā

Devanagari script

प्रायशः सम्भवत्यत्र गर्भस्त्वष्टाहमध्यतः / पञ्चमे ऽहनि नारीणां कार्यं माधुर्यभोजनम्

Transliteration

prāyaśaḥ sambhavatyatra garbhastvaṣṭāhamadhyataḥ / pañcame 'hani nārīṇāṃ kāryaṃ mādhuryabhojanam

Translation

प्रायः इस विषय में गर्भ आठ दिनों की अवधि के मध्य में ठहरता है। और पाँचवें दिन स्त्रियों को मधुर, पुष्टिकारक भोजन करने की सलाह दी गई है।

Word by Word

• prāyaśaḥ: generally / for the most part
• prāyaśaḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prāyaśas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• sambhavati: occurs / happens
• sambhavati: Kriyā (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√bhū (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• atra: here / in this context
• atra: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• garbhaḥ: embryo / conception
• garbhaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: garbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• tu: but / indeed
• tu: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात—विरोध/विशेषार्थक (but/indeed)

• aṣṭāha-madhyataḥ: from the middle of eight days
• aṣṭāha-madhyataḥ: Apādāna (Ablative point/source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭāha (प्रातिपदिक; aṣṭa+aha) + madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (अष्टाहस्य मध्यतः)

• pañcame: on the fifth
• pañcame: Adhikaraṇa (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañcama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; विशेषण (ahani)

• ahani: day
• ahani: Adhikaraṇa (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; कालवाचक

• nārīṇām: of women
• nārīṇām: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• kāryam: (it is) to be done / should be done
• kāryam: Kriyā-artha (Obligation/predicate nominal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (what is to be done)

• mādhurya-bhojanam: sweet food / sweet diet
• mādhurya-bhojanam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mādhurya (प्रातिपदिक) + bhojana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (माधुर्ययुक्तं भोजनम् / माधुर्यस्य भोजनम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper regimen around conception; food as a dharmic support for healthy progeny and balanced bodily conditions.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-supporting āhāra as an aid to clarity and harmony; embodied life follows lawful causation.

Application: Adopt nourishing, gentle foods at the recommended time; prioritize supportive nutrition during conception attempts.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.16-17 (avoid irritants/heat; cooling regimen)

Characters & Entities

• Women (nārī)
• Garbha (embryo/conception)

FAQs

What does this Garuda Purana verse say about the timing of conception (garbha)?

It states that conception generally occurs around the middle of an eight-day window, indicating a traditional view of fertile timing and early embryonic formation.

Why does the verse recommend sweet foods for women on the fifth day?

The verse prescribes mādhurya-bhojana—sweet, pleasant, nourishing diet—on the fifth day as part of a regimen believed to support reproductive wellbeing and favorable conception conditions.

What is a practical takeaway from this verse for modern life?

As a general principle, it encourages mindful timing and supportive nutrition during conception-related periods, emphasizing wholesome, gentle, nourishing food choices.